Market Information Service

Towards greater transparency in the tropical timber markets

The ITTO Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, an output of the ITTO Market Information Service (MIS), is published in English every two weeks with the aim of improving transparency in the international tropical timber market. The TTM provides market trends and trade news from around the world, as well as indicative prices for over 400 tropical timber and added-value products.

16-28 February 2014

Top story

Labelling system for domestic furniture

The Japan Furniture Industry Development Association has established a new ‘labelling’ system for domestically made furniture. The aim is to generate higher sales of locally made furniture.

To meet the criteria for labelling manufacturers must be implementing a raw material chain of custody system such as that of FSC, PEFC and SGEC, or have a supplier’s certificate verifying the legality of the wood raw material.

Also in this issue

Sixty percent of Sarawak’s 2013 log exports go to India

Myanmar revises deadline for export log payments

Arbitrary tax structure weakening Brazilian forest sector

Bank of Guyana reports increased loans to forestry sector

China’s forestry “go global” accelerating

Signs of revival in European wooden furniture manufacturing

European furniture shows highlight continuing strong fashion for oak

Canada and US partnership develops EPDs for MDF and particleboard

Data snapshot

German buildings permits (thousands units)

German housing market is warming up
The euro area housing market is extremely diverse, and does not respond as a single market, but rather as independent economies. The German housing market is warming up after a decade and house prices and construction activity are increasing because record low interest rates are encouraging house purchases.